Bradford (Park Avenue)’s Emirates FA Cup adventure came to an end, as we suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Guiseley AFC, in front of a bumper crowd at Nethermoor Park.
It was a first half of few clear-cut opportunities, but the hosts came close to breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute. A swift counter attack, following a Bradford set-piece, saw Guiseley break with three attackers against two Avenue defenders, but Jay Rollins fired his effort over the bar.
The Lions were almost left red-faced on the 20th minute. Goalkeeper Jack Hall’s clearance struck Bradford attacker Robbie Fox, and with the ball cannoning back towards the unguarded net, Guiseley were relieved to see it fall just short of the goal line.
Just before the half-hour mark, Fox’s pressure on the Guiseley back line created another excellent opportunity for his side. After winning back possession on the left in the attacking third, his cutback was just behind the onrushing Marcus Carver, allowing the home defence to clear their lines.
It was heartbreak for the Avenue in the 38th minute as Guiseley finally seized the initiative. A cross from the left by the lively Amir Berchil was not dealt with by the visiting defence, allowing the ball to fall kindly to Elliot Owen, who made no mistake from close range.
After the break, the Avenue struggled to retain possession as the home side pushed for a second. In the 71st minute, former Avenue defender Lucas Odunston did well on the right side of the penalty area before pulling a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Kallan Murphy dragged his effort wide of the target.
As the game entered its final stages, the Avenue began to show more attacking intent, with half-chances falling to Rudy Misambo and Brad Abbott, although neither could capitalise.
A huge save by Avenue goalkeeper Declan Lambton in the 89th minute, denying Berchil in a one-on-one, then sparked the visitors into life. Two minutes into added time, a long ball was flicked on by Jameel Ible into the path of Bailey Thompson, but Hall was quick off his line to deny the striker’s powerful goal bound effort.
The Avenue continued to throw everything at the Guiseley defence, and, in the dying seconds, felt they should have been awarded a penalty. The ball fell to Ible inside the penalty area, but just before he could get a shot away, he fell to the ground. The referee waved away the appeals, before bringing the game to a close with the final whistle.
Despite being on the losing side, Bradford (Park Avenue) never looked out of place against opposition from a higher division. Having seen off Mossley, Curzon Ashton and Lancaster City, it has been a fruitful Emirates FA Cup run for the Avenue.
The side can now turn their attention back to extending their unbeaten run in the Northern Premier League East Division, and can look to reclaim top spot with a number of games in hand over the sides above. The Green Army will next welcome Lincoln United to the Horsfall Community Stadium on Tuesday evening, 6 October, with kick-off at 7:45pm.
Match Report by Ste Grimshaw
Date: Saturday 3 October 2026
Full Time: Guiseley AFC 1-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)
Attendance: 1,574
Kick-off: 15:00pm
Referee: Jack Churchill
Venue: Nethermoor Park
Guiseley AFC: Hall, Odunston, Brown, Hopper, Owen, Mbeka (C), Rollins (Emmett 77′), Staniland, Murphy, Wilson (Iggulden 85′), Berchil (Tinker 90+3)
Unused substitutes: Roxburgh, Boyle, Sinfield, Longbottom
Goalscorer: Owen (38′)
Bradford (Park Avenue): Lambton, Brown, Duxbury (Winfield 72′), Ekpolo, Misambo, Ible (C), Chorlton (Hassan-Smith 59′), Abbott, Carver (B. Thompson 62′), Fox (Andreucci 80′), J. Thompson (Parkin 59′)
Unused substitutes: Jones, Haw